Harlequins announce contract extension for two coaches

November 12, 2014

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Harlequins is delighted to announce that Backs Coach Mark Mapletoft and Defence & Academy Coach Tony Diprose have both signed contract extensions with the Club.

Mapletoft has re-signed for a further two seasons, which will see him remain at Harlequins until at least the end of the 2016/17 season. The former international player has been hugely influential since joining the coaching set-up in 2010, reinforcing the Harlequins attacking style of play, which has led to continued success on the field.

Diprose will remain with the Club until the end of the 2017/18 season. The former number 8 international retired in 2006 and has spent his whole coaching career to date at Harlequins, overseeing the award-winning Academy which has produced the likes of Chris Robshaw, Mike Brown and current captain Joe Marler.

Both coaches played primary roles in securing the Amlin Challenge Cup in 2011, the Aviva Premiership in 2012 and the LV= Cup in 2013, in the process leading to Harlequins being the most successful Premiership Club in recent times.

Over 70% of the current squad of 46 have either graduated from the Harlequins Academy system or are currently performing within it, while 95% of the squad are England-qualified. This is testament to the hard work and dedication of both coaches and the wider coaching team including Conor O’Shea, John Kingston and Collin Osborne.

Director of Rugby Conor O’Shea commented: "We are very fortunate to have one of the brightest and most forward-thinking coaching teams in the game.

"Tony and Mark in their respective roles are a privilege to work with. They are both pivotal to our on-going development as a club and we are delighted they have committed their future to Harlequins."